Masaaki Mitomi

Characterization of two cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes of the pyripyropene biosynthetic gene cluster from Penicillium coprobium.

Pyripyropenes are potent inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, which were initially discovered to be produced by Aspergillus fumigatus. Recently, Penicillium coprobium PF1169 has also found to produce pyripyropene A (PyA), which exhibits insecticidal properties. Pyripyropenes are natural hybrid products of both terpenoid and polyketide origin. In our research, based on data generated using the Genome Sequencer FLX for P. coprobium PF1169, we predicted the biosynthetic gene cluster of PyA by blast analysis comparing with polyketide synthase and prenyltransferase of other species. By screening the genomic fosmid library, nine open reading frames (ppb1 to ppb9) related to the biosynthesis of PyA were deduced. Among them, two cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes (ppb3 and ppb4) were separately introduced into the model fungus A. oryzae. Bioconversion of certain predicted intermediates in the transformants has elucidated the manner of hydroxylation in the biosynthetic pathway by the expressed products of these two genes (P450-1 and P450-2). That is, P450-1 exhibits monooxygenase activity and plays the hydroxylation role at C-11 of pyripyropene E. While P450-2 plays an active role in the hydroxylation of C-7 and C-13 of pyripyropene O.

Characterization of two acetyltransferase genes in the pyripyropene biosynthetic gene cluster from Penicillium coprobium

Pyripyropenes potently and selectively inhibit acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT-2). Among multiple isomers of pyripyropene (A to R), pyripyropene A (PyA) has insecticidal properties in addition to its growth inhibition properties against human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Based on the predicted biosynthetic gene cluster of pyripyropene A, two genes (ppb8 and ppb9) encoding two acetyltransferases (ATs) were separately isolated and introduced into the model fungus Aspergillus oryzae, using the protoplast–polyethylene glycol method. The bioconversion of certain predicted intermediates in the transformants revealed the manner by which acetylation occurred in the biosynthetic pathway by the products expressed by these two genes (AT-1 and AT-2). The acetylated products detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the extracts from AT-1 and AT-2 transformant clones were not present in the extract from the transformant clone with an empty vector. The HLPC charts of each bioconversion study exhibited high peaks at 12, 10.5 and 9 min, respectively. Further ultraviolet absorption and mass spectrometry analyses identified the products as PyE, PyO and PyA, respectively. AT-1 acetylated the C-1 of deacetyl-pyripyropene E (deAc-PyE), while AT-2 played an active role in acetylating the C-11 of 11-deAc-PyO and C-7 of deAc-PyA at two different steps of the biosynthetic pathway.

Synthesis of NH006—a photostable fungicide effective against Botrytis cinerea—according to the asymmetric total synthesis of MK8383

MK8383, isolated from Phoma sp. T2526 in 1993, exhibits potent antibiotic activities against a variety of phytopathogens and has been considered a promising fungicide against Botrytis cinerea. Unfortunately, MK8383 is a photosensitive compound and it undergoes irreversible decomposition. Although much effort has been devoted to improving the photostability of MK8383 by chemical modification of its structure by a research group organized by Meiji Seika Kaishya, Ltd. and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, a photostable MK8383 derivative has never been prepared. We have found that a C13-14 double bond of MK8383 and (+)-phomopsidin is responsible for the photosensitivity, and herein, we report the synthesis of NH006, an MK8383 derivative with a saturated C13-14 double bond and (S) configuration at C14, based on the asymmetric total synthesis of MK8383. NH006 exhibits good photostability and potent antifungal activity against B. cinerea.

Synthesis and insecticidal efficacy of pyripyropene derivatives focusing on the C-1, C-7, and C-11 positions’ substituent groups

The C-1, C-7, and C-11 positions of pyripyropene A were chemically modified to improve the insecticidal activity. Some derivatives showed higher insecticidal activities against aphids than pyripyropene A. In particular, the derivative 5c, which possesses three cyclopropyl carbonyl groups at the C-1, C-7, and C-11 positions, had excellent insecticidal activity levels in field and laboratory trials.